KCMO NE Community Center

Challenge

Design a new Northeast Community Center that enhances quality of life, serves as a revitalization catalyst, and provides a sense of community by offering positive recreation activities for residents of a diverse multicultural urban neighborhood.

Process

The design team of SFS and BRS Architecture established a steering committee comprising citizen representatives and city staff, and gathered extensive community input to ensure the design responds to the community’s needs and desires. The team worked with the Kansas City, MO Parks & Recreation Department to plan for a financially feasible, sustainable and affordable project.

Solution

When completed, the Northeast Community Center will give area residents a place to play, swim, work out, receive health services, create art, meet and socialize, providing indoor aquatics, a multi-activity gymnasium, a catering kitchen, indoor and outdoor soccer fields, an elevated fitness track, fitness rooms, event spaces, a game room, classrooms, an aerobic/dance room and administrative and support spaces. The Center’s design will visually convey its mission as a community anchor and touchstone for a vibrant future. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification for sustainability, a phasing plan will allow for implementation to occur as funding becomes available.